<p>Some people think that living green is a hard lifestyle to maintain.&nbsp; It isn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; You do in fact need to make changes and be more aware of your environment.&nbsp; Now if that is too hard to do than I would question your priorities and the everyday choices you make.&nbsp; Not to be judgmental but there is a certain responsibility that we all have as humans to take care of our planet and live the best lives we can.&nbsp; If we don&rsquo;t understand the importance of that than we are in big trouble.&nbsp; Now is the time to change your life for the better and finally feel a sense of pride that you never thought you could.&nbsp; Its 2009 people.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s never too late to try to become the person you never thought you could be.</p> <p>&nbsp;The first thing to do is take a look at your life and see what you can change asap.&nbsp; Whether its buying natural and organic food or taking a walk instead of driving, taking baby steps is perfectly fine.&nbsp; You want these changes to be fun and exciting!&nbsp; And with a positive view and peaceful state of mind you will get there.&nbsp; You must realize that a lifestyle change such as this one will also change who you are as a person.&nbsp; That is the true meaning of being green.&nbsp; Having the eco-friendly vision everyday come natural and not thinking twice about an earth-friendly decision.&nbsp; Its about observing yourself and realizing that you, the people you love and the earth from which you live are worth much more!</p> <p>&nbsp;Here are 10 easy simple ways to get started.&nbsp; You can do them at your own pace and take the time you need.&nbsp; The more you start doing, the more you will be comfortable with your new lifestyle!</p> <p>&nbsp;<span>-</span><span>&nbsp;</span><span>Recycle &amp; Reuse:</span>&nbsp; I am surprised when I hear that someone does not recycle.&nbsp; Shame on you!&nbsp; If everyone in America recycled we could decrease the waste in landfills by 75%.&nbsp; Sounds good to me! Another way to recycle is to reuse.&nbsp; Bags you get from the grocery store, packaging, rags to clean and even refilling your ink cartridges for your printer.&nbsp; These all make a difference.</p> <p><span>-</span><span>&nbsp;</span><span>Take a shorter shower</span>:&nbsp; You can conserve more than 10 gallons by just shortening your showers by 2 minutes.&nbsp; Not to mention your water bill!&nbsp; Just think how much that would be if everyone did the same.</p> <p><span>-</span><span>&nbsp;</span><span>Junk Mail</span>:&nbsp; We all get crap in the mail that goes straight to the garbage.&nbsp; Instead of throwing it out recycle it instead.&nbsp; If you want to reduce your junk mail or rid of it forever you can register with the Mail Preference Service.&nbsp; It only costs $1 and you can do it online.&nbsp; Its that easy so there is no excuse!&nbsp; Just go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist" title="http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist">www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist</a>.</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Curtains &amp; Blinds</span>:&nbsp; During summer and winter keep your blinds closed.&nbsp; That will keep your house cooler when its hot out and warmer when its cold.&nbsp; By doing this you can reduce your energy needs up to 25% and save on your electric bill!</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Use fewer napkins:</span>&nbsp; When you are out try to take 2 -4 napkins instead of 10.&nbsp; We all do it.&nbsp; You go to the movies and get popcorn.&nbsp; Well you need tons of napkins because of the butter!&nbsp; Do your best to conserve and more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year!</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Subscribe to magazines:</span>&nbsp; You could save up to 75% off the newsstand price if you simply subscribed.&nbsp; Plus, who wouldn&rsquo;t want the convenience of coming home to your favorite publication!&nbsp; About 60% of the magazines at stores aren&rsquo;t sold and wind up getting dumped.&nbsp; What a waste!</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Unplug electronics:</span>&nbsp; Not only will you save money but tons of energy as well.&nbsp; Surprisingly enough, even though they are turned off your electronics are still using 10 - 15% of energy.&nbsp; Just unplugging your TV alone can save more than $1 billion in energy bills if we all did it. &nbsp;</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Carpool to work:</span>&nbsp; If it is possible, try to hitch a ride with another coworker or even a friend that may work in the same area.&nbsp; You would save hundreds of gallons of gas and not to mention the $$ in your pocket.&nbsp; Another plus of carpooling is less traffic.&nbsp; We don&rsquo;t need any more cars on the road or any more road rage!</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Pay your bills online:</span>&nbsp; Why waste money on stamps and envelopes when you can pay all your bills online.&nbsp; Thats the convenience of the internet!&nbsp; Take advantage and save time and money.</p> <p><span>-</span><span>Paper or plastic:</span>&nbsp; The best solution is to use reusable bags.&nbsp; Nowadays, every retail store sells them and they are usually only $1 or so.&nbsp; Its worth it.&nbsp; Plus they are stronger and more reliable.&nbsp; But if you have to choose one than go with paper.&nbsp; And don&rsquo;t forget to recycle and reuse!<br /><br />I hope that you can follow these steps and have fun in the process.&nbsp; Just think about all the great choices you are making and the difference you are able to achieve.&nbsp; With these 10 steps you are well on your way to an eco-friendly life!</p> <ol> </ol> 2009-09-16T11:56:36Z -2.81541 91 6478 true 21 41728 how-to-start-living-green 0 2009-09-16T08:09:44Z 2009-09-16T15:10:23Z

Now is the time to change your life for the better and finally feel a sense of pride that you never thought you could. Here are 10 easy simple ways to get started.

1 2009-09-16T15:10:23Z